Playoff Pandemonium

With a week of MLB post-season action in the books, we only have one series decided and plenty of drama still surrounding the three other divisional series match ups. Following an insane finish to the regular season with the Rays and Cardinals edging into the playoffs, the intensity hasn't even come close to letting up. Let's take a look at what's happened so far, and predict what each series has in store.

Yankees vs. Tigers (series tied at 2-2)
Just when it looked like the pinstripes were dead and buried down 2-1 in the series, they came up with a huge 10-1 road victory in game 4 to set up a showdown in the Bronx for all the marbles. Nobody figured that the much maligned AJ Burnett would be the savior for the bombers, but he shocked the world with one of his best pitching performances when it mattered most. The momentum has clearly shifted in the Yankees favor and it will take a very impressive effort from the Tigers to avoid elimination. Doug Fister will take the hill tomorrow against Yank's rookie Ivan Nova. Fister fell to Nova in game 1 of the series, but there's reason to believe he could redeem himself in game 5. Since getting traded from Seattle to Detroit in July, Fister only allowed more than two runs twice (including the game 1 loss against the Yankees). I'm going to go against the odds and pick Detroit to surprise the baseball universe on Thursday. Prediction: Tigers in 5 games.



Cardinals vs. Phillies (Phillies lead 2-1)
The Phillies came into this series as the heavy favorites not only to advance, but to move on to the World Series as well. The Cardinals have made the road more difficult than originally anticipated. After evening up the series at 1 over the weekend, St. Louis now trails 2-1 heading into an elimination game tonight at Busch Stadium. Based on their two most recent games which were both decided by a single run, I think the Cards still have a shot. Tonight provides a solid match up for them as they face elder statesman Roy Oswalt. The brittle vet finished the regular season with a losing record despite playing for a team that had the best record of any team in baseball. I think the newly acquired Edwin Jackson will get the W tonight. Will it be enough for St. Louis to comeback all the way? It's going to be very tough with a likely game 5 in Philadelphia (and a matchup with Roy Halladay) looming in the distance. Prediction: Phillies in 5 games.

Brewers vs. Diamondbacks (Brewers lead 2-1)
Up until last night, this series looked like a beatdown in the favor of the Brewers. The Brew Crew had everything clicking in their first two contests until a complete meltdown in Arizona put their hopes up in the air. I'm not gonna lie, it was surprising to see the D-Backs blast off the way they did. Then again, Arizona has been shocking opponents all year long. From worst in the NL West in 2010, to the divisional champs in 2011, manager Kirk Gibson has this team really believing they can do some serious damage. Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, I think they drew the short straw in having to face Milwaukee. This Brewers team is on a mission and they really look like a serious threat to make it all the way to the World Series. I see this face off ending tonight in Arizona with Milwaukee advancing. Prediction: Brewers in 4 games.

Rangers def. Rays 3-1

by Andrew Adamson